Following breakfast, we will have our own private Mass at a local Church and then begin our tour of the wonders of the ancient world, some of which date back to 1000+ years prior to Abraham. We spend time at one of the seven wonders of the world – the Pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. We will also see the Sphinx, visit the City of the Dead and the amazing Khan El Khalili Bazaar. 

Cairo overnight (BD)

Today we spend our time at the colossal new Grand Egyptian Museum, spanning 500,000 square metres – about the size of 70 football pitches.  It is described as the world’s largest archaeological museum and is packed with some 100,000 artefacts, dating back more than 7,000 years. 

At the end of the day, we return to our accommodation. 

Cairo overnight (BD) 

After breakfast we will drive to Tel Basta, where Jesus miraculously caused a spring to gush forth. We then visit Belbeis, where the Holy Family rested under a tree, now commemorated as “The Virgin Mary’s Tree”, and remains a significant religious site for Christians. After visiting St George Church, we will return to Cairo for dinner and overnight.

Cairo overnight (BD)

We continue to the Coptic Orthodox Church of St Mary where between 1968-1971 over 250,000 people witnessed apparitions of Our Lady. After Mass at the Franciscan Church, we continue onto the Hanging Church with the miraculous image of Our Lady. It is so named because it’s built on top of the ruins of the Roman Fortress of Babylon. The church seems to float in the air, giving it the name “Hanging Church.

We then visit the Abu Serga Church where tradition says the Holy Family took refuge while in Egypt.  Visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which was originally a Christian church, which the Coptic Christians of Cairo had to sell to the Jews in 882 AD in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time. It is believed that the site of the Synagogue is in the vicinity of where the cradle of baby Moses was found.

Cairo overnight (BD)

We continue to the Church of St Sergius, also known as Abu Serga, which is one of the oldest Coptic Christian churches in Egypt, and located in Old Cairo. According to Coptic tradition, the Holy Family sought shelter in a cave beneath the church during their flight from King Herod.  Next, we will visit the Church of St George, located within the Roman Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo.

After lunch we continue to the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary at Maadi, built on the site where the Holy Family crossed the Nile.  We will also visit the new Church of the Martyrs in Mataria, dedicated to the 21 Coptic Christians who were killed in Libya by ISIS.  We will visit St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral, wherein the office of the Coptic Pope is located – and the relics of the Apostle St Mark The Evangelist. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Cairo overnight (BD)

This morning, we depart Cairo and travel via the Gulf of Suez to Ayun Musa (Well of Moses) where Moses made camp following the parting of the waters and miraculously brought forth water from the sands.

Continue our adventure today to Wadi Feran abounding in biblical history and identified as the site of Rafadim –the battlefield between the Hebrews and the Amellecti (Exodus 17). N.B. Subject to access being granted by the Egyptian authorities.

Just before we arrive at the village of St Catherine we stop at the Plain of El Raha (Plain of Rest) known as the traditional site where the people of Israel stopped to camp and first laid eyes on the sacred mountain.  Here too we will see the Chapel of the Golden Calf built to commemorate the false idol fashioned by Aaron and the Israelites while Moses was on Mt Sinai.

Mt Sinai overnight (BD) 

Arise as pilgrims in the very early hours of the morning for our optional trekking adventure (or partly by camel back) as we ascend to the summit of Mt Sinai before the breaking of dawn. The solid walk to the summit which takes 2-3 hours is rewarded by an unforgettable view and a look at the cave where Moses had hidden himself before coming face to face with God and was given the Ten Commandments.
(Each pilgrim should assess their level of fitness before deciding the extent of their ascent this morning.)

After breakfast we visit the Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine enclosed by a 6th century fortress and incorporating the burning bush seen by Moses. The monastery too has a world-renowned collection of ancient, illuminated manuscripts and many valuable icons considered second in importance to the Vatican.  We aim for the opportunity to view this wonderful collection (subject to special access being granted by the monks).  Saint Catherine’s monastery also encloses the “Well of Moses”, where Moses is said to have met his future wife. The well is still today one of the monastery’s main sources of water. The relics of Saint Catherine are kept to this day inside the monastery.

Mt Sinai overnight (BD)

This morning, we depart Sinai and we travel by coach back to our accommodation in Cairo.

Cairo overnight (BD) 

The Holy family traveled in a boat on the Nile toward the south.

Following breakfast we will travel south to Minya City.  Upon arrival in Minya we will visit the “Church beside the River at Gabal Al Teir”, it refers to the Church of the Virgin Mary located on the mountaintop of Gabal Al Teir, a significant stop on the journey of the Holy Family according to Coptic tradition. The church is built near the Nile River, hence the “beside the river” description Gabal Al Teir. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Minya City overnight (BD)

Today we will continue our journey south to Asyut City to visit the Monastery of the Holy Virgin. The holy family spent over 6 months here. The monastery’s altar dated 747 AD, is said to be located on the very spot where the baby Jesus rested and is claimed to be the oldest in the world. We continue our way to Luxor for dinner and overnight.

Luxor overnight (BD)

This morning we visit the Temple of Karnak, a vast complex from the New Kingdom period, linked to the time of Moses and the Exodus. Karnak, second to Giza’s Pyramids, is one of Egypt’s most important Pharaonic sites. We then embark on our Nile River cruise, enjoying lunch onboard and the remainder of the day at leisure.

Nile Cruise overnight (BLD)

Visit the Valley of the Kings (where many ancient pharaohs were buried) and the famous Temple of Hatshepsut, the princess who perhaps pulled baby Moses out of the Nile River. This temple may have been designed by Moses. Continue our cruise towards Edfu passing through Esna lock.

Nile Cruise overnight (BLD) 

After breakfast aboard the cruise, we will be transferred to visit the famous Edfu temple, then back to the cruise ship to continue sailing to Kom Ombo. Return to your cruise ship to sail to Aswan for dinner. 

Nile Cruise overnight (BLD)

Visit the High Dam, built from 1960 – 1971 and is a major factor in Egypt’s agricultural success. We then also spend time at Philae Temple on the Island of Isis. This complex was moved from upriver due to the impending destruction upon the completion of the High Dam.  

This afternoon we visit Abu Simbel, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Nubian Monuments.” Our Egyptologist guide will discuss the relevance of this spectacular site from Egyptian history. Here we visit the massive temple of Pharaoh Rameses II, perhaps the greatest builder of temples in ancient Egypt (13th Century BC) and a second one of Queen Nafertari, Rameses’s most beloved wife.

Nile Cruise overnight (BLD)

This morning we fly back to Cairo and have some free time in Cairo. 

Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner, reflecting on the graces received throughout our sacred journey with a show and dinner.

Cairo overnight (BD)